Method of developing film in a disposable cartridge



July 16, 1968 G. J. LINDER, JR 3,392,646

METHOD OF DEVELOPING FILM IN A DISPOSABLE CARTRIDGE Original Filed Aug.16, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

GEORGE J. LINDER, JR.

July 16, 1968 G. J. LINDER, JR 3,392,646

METHOD OF DEVELOPING FILM IN A DISPOSABLE CARTRIDGE Original Filed Aug.16, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN .VEN TOR.

GEORGE J. UNDER, JR. BY

July 16, 1968 METHOD OF DEVELOPING FILM IN A DISPOSABLE CARTRIDGE 6Sheets-Sheet 3 G. J. LINDER, JR

Original Filed Aug. 16, 1965 I68 l6 F|G.9

GEORGE J. UNDER,

INVENTOR.

July 16, 1968 G. J. LINDER, JR

METHOD OF DEVELOPING FILM IN A DISPOSABLE CARTRIDGE? Sheets-Sheet 4Original Filed Aug. 16, 1965 BgEORGE J LINDER, lR.

cf f a; M

w m w m ram/E76 July 16, 1968 G. J. LINDER, JR

METHOD OF DEVELOPING FILM IN A DISPOSABLE CARTRIDGE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5Original Filed Aug. 16, 1965 FIG.I9

JNVENTOR.

July 16, 1968 G. J. LINDER, JR 3,392,646

METHOD OF DEVELOPING FILM IN A DISPOSABLE CARTRIDGE Original Filed Aug.16, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.

GEORGE J. LINDER, JR.

Q WM *W United States Patent 3,392,646 METHOD OF DEVELOPING FILM IN ADISPOSABLE CARTRIDGE George J. Liuder, Jr., Mineola, N.Y., assignor toCamera Corporation of America, Hicksville, N.Y., a corporation of NewYork Original application Aug. 16, 1965, Ser. No. 480,046, new PatentNo. 3,367,252. Divided and this application July 11, 1967, Ser. No.667,309

3 Claims. (Cl. 95-13) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The method oftranslating successive portions of a photosensitive material across animage plane and then through a liquid-tight chamber before the nextsuccessive exposable portion is located at the image plane. Thephotographic material, image plane, and liquid container are all locatedwithin a disposable cartridge.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 480,046, field on Aug. 16,1965, now US. Letters Patent No. 3,367,252.

The present invention pertains, generally, to photography, and moreparticularly to photographic apparatus that is constructed and arrangedto enable a user of the apparatus to cause the exposure ofphotosensitive material and its subsequent development all prior to itsremoval from said apparatus with maximum ease, facility and readiness.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to providephotography apparatus particularly adapted to co-operate with adisposable unitary cartridge having a supply of photosensitive materialtherewithin, said cartridge being constructed and arranged to enable auser to cause the exposure of said material and its subsequentdevelopment all prior to its removal from the apparatus with maximumease, facility and readiness.

Another primary object of this invention, in addition to the foregoingobjects is to provide unitary self-con- .tained photographic apparatusthat enables a user to cause the exposure of photosensitive material andits subsequent development prior to removing the material from theapparatus with optimum etficiency and maximum ease, readiness andfacility, and apparatus comprising a unitary self-contained disposablecartridge having a supply of said material and the requisite developingsolution or solutions therewithin, and an enclosure in which saidcartridge is particularly adapted to be removably disposed.

Yet another primary object of the present invention, in addition to eachof the foregoing objects, is to provide unitary self-containedphotographic apparatus comprising the combination of a cam-era housingor enclosure and a unitary self-contained disposable cartridge having asupply of photosensitive material and the requisite developing solutionor solutions disposed therewithin particularly adapted to be removablydisposed within the cartridge, said housing or enclosure comprising animage transfer assembly for transferring a virtual image to saidphotosensitive material, said image transfer assembly and said cartridgebeing constructed and arranged to cooperate with one another to definethe location of said cartridge within the housing A further primaryobject of this invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects,is to provide photography apparatus comprising an enclosure or housingand a selfcontained disposable unitary cartridge having a supply ofphotosensitive material and a supply of developing solution or solutionsin combination therewith, said housing 3,392,646 Patented July 16, 1968"ice or enclosure comprising an access door having a mounting assemblyfor removably and pivotally mounting said door upon said enclosure orhousing, said mounting assembly being constructed and arrange-d tofacilitate assembly and disassembly of said photographic apparatus, andthe operation of said door.

A further primary object of the present invention, in addition to eachof the foregoing objects, is to provide photographic apparatuscomprising an enclosure or housing and a self-contained disposableunitary cartridge having a supply of photosensitive material and asupply of developing solution or solutions disposed therewithinparticularly adapted to be removably disposed within the housing, saidhousing or enclosure having a removable pivotable access door comprisinga photosensitive material or film positioning assembly that isconstructed and arranged to enable a user to accurately and efficiently,and with maximum ease, facility and readiness, locate successiveportions of said photosensitive material or film first at an image planeof said cartridge, at which the successive portions are particularlyadapted to be exposed to a subject image, thence within a liquid-typechamber within which the exposed portion of the photosensitive materialor film is particularly adapted to be developed before the nextsuccessive portion of the film is disposed at the image plane forexposure to another subject image, and definably at a location in whichthe developed portion of the film has been severed from the remainder ofthe photosensitive material, at which latter location the nextsuccessive portion of the material or film for exposure to a subjectimage has been located at the image plane.

An additional primary object of this invention, in addition to each ofthe foregoing objects, is to provide photographic apparatus comprisingan enclosure or housing and a self-contained disposable unitarycartridge having a supply of photosensitive material and a supply ofdeveloping solution or solutions disposed therewithin particularlyadapted to be removably disposed within the housing, said housing orenclosure having a removable pivotable access door comprising aphotosensitive material or film positioning assembly that is constructedand arranged to enable a user to accurately and efiiciently, and withmaximum ease, facility and readiness, locate successive portions of saidphotosensitive material or film first t an image plane of saidcartridge, at which the successive portions are patricularly adapted tobe exposed to a subject image, thence within a liquid-type chamberwithin which the exposed portion of the photosensitive material or filmis particularly adapted to be developed before the next successiveportion of the film is disposed at the image plane for exposure toanother subject image, and definably at a location in which thedeveloped portion of the film has been severed from the remainder of thephotosensitive material, at which latter location the next successiveportion of the material or film for exposure to a subject plane has beenlocated at the image plane, said film positioning assembly comprising anassembly for severing successive portions of the photosensitive materialor film subsequent to the development of each of the exposed portions.

A further primary object of this invention, in addition to each of theforegoing objects, is to provide a method for accurately locating andefficiently translating successive portions of a direct-positive type ofphotosensitive material or film at and between an image plane, at whichthe portions are particularly adapted to be exposed to a subject image,thence into a liquid-type container of a unitary self-containeddisposable cartridge, within which the exposed portion of the materialor film is particularly adapted to be developed before the nextsuccessive portion of the material or film is translated to the imageplane,

and finally to a location at which the developed portion of the materialor film can be severed from the remainder thereof, in which latterlocation the next successive portion of the film to be exposed to asubject image is located at the image plane.

Other objects and important features of the present invention will beapparent from a study of the specification following, taken with thedrawings, which together show, illustrate, describe and disclose apreferred embodiment or modification of the invention and what is nowconsidered to be the best mode of practicing the principles thereof.Other embodiments or modifications may be suggested to those having thebenefit of the teachings herein, and such other embodiments ormodifications are intended to be reserved especially as they fall withinthe scope and spirit of the sub-joined claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of photographic apparatusconstructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention,illustrating the selfcontained unitary disposable cartridge particularlyadapted to co-operate therewith for the exposure and subsequentdevelopment of photosensitive material or film before the latter isremoved from the apparatus;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of an image transfer assembly fortransferring a subject image to the photosensitive material or filmlocated at the image plane of the cartridge shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, but taken at a different angle;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational assembly view, illustrating the manner inwhich the image transfer assembly shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 and thecartridge shown in FIGURE 1 co-operate with one another;

FIGURE 5 is another assembly view, similar to FIG- URE 4, and takenalong the line 5-5 thereof;

FIGURE 6 is an elevational view of the image transfer assembly, viewedin the same direction as in FIG- URE 5, but wherein the assembly hasbeen tilted upwardly from a horizontal plane to clearly illustratecertain details of construction;

FIGURE 7 is a rear elevational view of the photographic apparatus,showing only the image transfer assembly in its position therewithin;

FIGURE 8 is a side elevational view of the photographic apparatus,partially broken away, to further illustrate the manner in which theimage transfer assembly and the self-contained unitary disposablecartridge cooperate with one another when they are positionedtherewithin;

FIGURE 9 is a bottom plan view of the unitary selfcontained disposablecartridge;

FIGURE 10 is an exploded perspective view of the access door for thephotographic apparatus, illustrating the photosensitive material or filmpositioning or locating assembly that is operatively associatedtherewith;

FIGURE 11 is a bottom plan view of one of the elements of the filmpositioning or locating assembly;

FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of another element of the film locatingor positioning assembly;

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of the photographic apparatus, brokenaway, with the access door in a closed position with respect thereto,and illustrating the film locating or positioning assembly in one of itspositions with respect thereto in solid lines, and in an other of itspositions in phantom;

FIGURE 14 is a plan view of the interior of the access door;

FIGURE 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 1515 of FIGURE14;

FIGURE 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 16-46 of FIGURE14;

FIGURE 17 is a detail view, drawn to an enlarged scale, illustrating themanner in which certain elements of the film positioning or locatingassembly co-operate with the access door;

FIGURE 18 is an elevational view of one of the elements whereby the filmpositioning or locating assembly is operatively associated with theaccess door;

FIGURES 19 through 21 are schematic views illustrating the manner inwhich the film positioning or locating assembly cooperates with the filmor photosensitive material;

FIGURE 22 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, illustrating the assembly forpivotably removably mounting the access door upon the housing;

FIGURE 23 is a plan view of one of the elements of the mounting assemblyshown in FIGURE 22; and

FIGURE 24 is an elevational view of the element shown in FIGURE 23.

This application is a continuation-impart of my copending applicationSer. No. 171,988, filed Feb. 8, 1962, entitled, Magazine for a Camera,and now Patent No. 3,200,725.

With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGURE 1thereof, there is illustrated therein photographic apparatus constructedin accordance with the principles of the present invention, andgenerally designated by the reference character 30. The photographicapparatus or camera 30, which is constructed and arranged to exposesuccessive portions of photosensitive material or film to a subjectimage, and to successively develop such portions before exposing thenext successive portion all before they are each removed from thecamera, comprises an enclosure or housing 32 and a self-containedunitary disposable cartridge 34. The cartridge 34 is shown, illustrated,described and disclosed in the co-pending application identified above.Accordingly, since reference may be had thereto for a detaileddescription of the cartridge, it is not deemed necessary to present sucha detailed description herein. Nevertheless, the cartridge 34 will beshown, illustrated, described and disclosed to the extent necessary toprovide a clear understanding of the present invention. In this latterconnection, it will be understood that the self-contained unitarydisposable cartridge 34 is particularly adapted to be used withconventional types of direct positive film, such as, and by way ofexample only, films having a diazonium photosensitive layer, or havingtwo image forming materials on a single backing web of material. Anegative image will thus be formed in one image forming material bymeans of a direct photosensitive process, and a positive image formed inthe second image forming material by means of a diffusion transferprocess, the negative image forming material and the positive imageforming material being either combined within a single layer of emulsionor being in separate superposed layers of emulsion on a single web ofbacking material. The cartridge will also contain a suitable processingmaterial comprising the required solution or solutions rendering thefilm capable of producing a positive image completely within thecartridge.

The housing or enclosure 32, which is of generally rectangularconstruction, comprises one end or a rear end 36 that is open andsubstantially unobstructed. The housing or enclosure comprises anotheror front end 38. A lens and shutter system or assembly 40, which may beof any suitable and conventional construction, is fixedly positionedupon the housing 32 at the front end 38 thereof.

The housing 22 and the lens and shutter assembly 40 each comprise a topwall 42 and 44, respectively. A handle 46 is mounted on the camera 30 atthe top thereof, and at one end is fixedly positioned upon the top wall42 of the housing 32, and at another end thereof, is fixedly positionedon the top wall 44. The handle 46 is constructed and arranged to definea view-finding assembly having a rear view finder 48 and a front viewfinder 50 in alignment with one another.

An image transfer assemby, generally designated by the referencecharacter 52, is fixedly mounted in the housing or enclosure 32. Withparticular reference now to FIGURES 2-4, the image transfer assemblywill be seen to comprise a mounting wall 54 that, when viewed inelevation, defines an opening of U-shaped configuration. The wall 54comprises a plurality of mounting ears 58 and 60 each having apertures62 to be aligned with apertures in a wall (not shown) in the housing 32.As particularly shown in FIGURE 6, a boss 64 aligned with one of theapertures 62, extends from each mounting ear 58, 60. One of thefasteners (not shown) for mounting the image transfer assembly 52 in thehousing 32 will cooperate with, each of the bosses 64. The latter,therefore, function as braces, and insures that the image transferassembly will occupy a stable position within the housing. The imagetransfer assembly comprises an image transfer wall 66 that extends fromthe mounting wall 54 at an acute angle of 45 degrees with respectthereto. The wall 66 comprises an opening or aperture 68 of generallytrapezoidal configuration. An image transfer element 70 is mounted uponthe wall 66. As is considered readily apparent, the opening or aperture68 will enable a substantial portion of the surface area of the element70 to be exposed to the actinic light allowed to enter the housing 32when the lens and shutter assembly 40 is operated. The image transferelement 70, by way of example only, may comprise a conventional mirror.The back or rear surface of the mirror 70, as viewed in FIG- URE 3, ispreferably covered with a backing material, for example, black paint,for a purpose that is considered readily apparent. With particularreference to FIGURE 1, it will be seen that the image transfer assembly52 is positioned within the housing 32 so that any transfer of actiniclight will be in a lateral direction towards a side wall 72 of thehousing. The image transfer wall 66 therefore defines an acute angle of45 degrees with a plane that is parallel with the front of the camera30, and defines a similar angle with the side wall 72.

The image transfer assembly 52 comprises, further, side walls 74 thatare of generally triangular configuration. Each side wall 74 comprises,in turn, locating or positioning guides or lugs 76 extending laterallyoutwardly therefrom. The guides or lugs 76 are particuarly adapted toco-operate with the cartridge or magazine 34 in a manner to be describedmore fully hereinafter. In this connection, and as shown, illustrated,described and disclosed in the aforesaid copending application, thecartridge comprises side Walls 78, and is constructed and arranged todefine an image transfer plane 80 comprising, in part, the path oftravel of photosensitive material or film 82. The walls 78 each compriselocating or positioning ears 84 extending laterally inwardly therefrom.The ear-s 84 are particularly adapted to guide the film 82 and traversesthe image plane 80, and in addition are particularly adapted toco-operate with the lugs 76.

With particular reference now to FIGURE 5, it will be seen that the ears84 perform a rual function. As pointed out above, they act as guides forthe film as it traverses the image plane 80. In addition, they functionto define the vertical position of the cartridge within the housing 32,to thus preclude any lateral displacement of the cartridge relative tothe image transfer assembly 52. Accordingly, the transversed distancebetween the ears 84 is chosen to provide only a tolerance between themand the side walls 74 of the image transfer assembly, and the edges ofthe film 82.

With continued reference to that figure, it will be understood that aclearance is provided between the image transfer assembly and the imageplane 80 of the cartridge 34 to provide a passage for the film 82therebe-tween. This film passage, designated by the referencecharacter86, is a function of the distance from or between the lugs 76 and anedge 88 (see FIGURE 3) of the side walls 74. This is particularly truesince the lugs 76 are particularly adapted to rest upon the ears 84 whenthe cartridge 34. is disposed in a co-operative position with the imagetransfer assembly 52. In order to firmly position the cartridge withinthe housing 32 so that the ears 84 will rest against the lugs 76, aresilient element or spring 90 is mounted upon the side wall 72 of thehousing, and is particularly adapted to bear against or engage a surface92 of the cartridge opposite the image plane 80. The cartridge, thus, ineffect, functions as a pressure plate, and when the ears 84 abut againstor engage the lugs 76, the film passage 86 results and is thus defined.To provide optimum results, it is of course desirable that the film 82be fiat as it traverses the image plane. To this end, the side walls 74and the image transfer walls 66 of the assembly 52 are constructed andarranged to define a lip or ridge 94 of generally U-shaped configuration(see FIGURES 5 and 6). Accordingly, when the resilient element or spring90 moves the cartridge so that the ears 84 engage the lugs 76, the filmpassage 86 is defined, the extent of which is hardly more than atolerance. For all practical purposes, therefore, the lip 94 can be saidto bear against the film 82 to hold it fiat as it traverses the imageplane 80, enabling the attainment of optimum results. While no specificdimenions have been given, it will be understood that. they are of theutmost importance to the extent that they must be'chosen to obtain theproper positioning and co-operation between the image transfer assembly52 and the cartridge 34, and, in turn, optimum results.

As pointed out above, the photosensitive material or film 82 is of thedirect-positive-type. It will now be understood, therefore, that theimage transfer element 70 which, 'by way of example only, may comprise amirror, is an essential element of the image transfer assembly 52. Thatis, the conventional lens and shutter assembly 40 will, in the ordinarycamera, reverse the image in transferring the latter to the ordinarynegative-type of film. The image must then again be reversed indeveloping the positive. In the present invention, since the film is adirect-positivetype, the subject image must be reversed in transferringit thereto. That is, it is a virtual image that is transferred to thefilm 82, and thus the necessity for the image transfer element 70. Theparticular position of the assembly 52 and the cartridge 34 within thehousing 32 which transfers the subject image laterally of the housing tothe film 82 enables the presentation of photographic apparatus or thecamera 30 that is compact and easy to handle. At this point, it will beunderstood that the housing 32 comprises a stop (not shown) therewithinto define the innermost position of the cartridge 34, precluding thecartridge from hitting the image transfer assembly 52 and possiblydamaging the element or mirror 70.

The photographic apparatus or camera 30 comprises, further, an accessdoor, generally designated by the reference character 100, which isparticularly adapted to be removably and pivotably mounted or positionedupon the enclosure 32. This is accomplished by means of a door mountingassembly 102. The door mounting assembly comprises a boss 104 extendingtherefrom having a recess 106 at each end thereof. In the alternative,the boss 104 may simply have a passageway or bore (not shown) extendingcompletely therethrough. The mounting assembly 102 further comprises aresilient element or spring 108 having a plurality of fingers 110 thatare disposable Within a corresponding one of the recesses 10 6. Thespring 108 is of generally trapezoidal configuration in a normalunflexed position, and defines a bight 112 and a plurality of legs 114.As clearly illustrated in FIGURE 24, the bight 112 is turned upwardlyfrom the plane in which the legs 114 lie. Each of the legs 114 comprisea raised portion 116 for a purpose hereinafter to be described.

The mounting assembly 110 further comprises a block or panel 118 whichis positioned upon the other side wall 120 of the housing or enclosure32. This side wall 120 has a recess 122 which extends inwardly of thehousing or enclosure from the open end 36 thereof. The block or panel118 extends completely across the recess 122, thus, in effect,substantially enclosing a portion thereof. It will now be understoodthat the resilient element or spring 108 is insertable within the recess122. The legs 114 thereof will engage an upper wall 124 and a lower wall126 of the recess, thus flexing the legs inwardly towards one another.The raised portions 116, which, like the bight 112, extend from theplane in which the legs 114 lie, will abut against the block or panel118, thus precluding any movement of the spring 108 between the sidewall 120 of the housing 32 and the panel. A space is defined between thepanel 118 and an end 128 of the recess 122, into which the bight 112 isinsertable. In particular, the bight is particularly adapted to besnap-fitted into this position, to thus preclude inadvertent movement ofthe resilient element along the recess.

It will now be understood that the mounting assembly 102 enables theaccess door 100 to be removably snapfitted into a position with respectto the enclosure 32, in which position the door is pivotably movablebetween a closed position relative to the housing (see FIGURE 13) and anopened position with respect thereto (see FIG- URES 1 and 22). Mountingthe door is accomplished with facility by simply inserting the springinto the recess 122, until the bight 112 is snap-fitted into a positionwithin the space between the panel 118 and the end wall 128 of therecess. The raised portions 116 and the bight 112 will co-operate withone another in retaining the spring in this position, with the raisedportions causing the spring to be frictionally engaged with the wall 120of the housing and with the panel. The door is removed with equalfacility by simply placing a finger against the bight 112 and causing itto enter the space between the Wall 120 and the panel 118. This mayfurther be facilitated by pivoting the end of the spring having thefingers 110 towards the wall 72 of the housing 32. The access door 100is particularly adapted to be maintained in its closed position withrespect to the housing in any suitable manner, as through the medium ofa conventional closure assembly 130 having male and female closureelements 132 and 134, respectively.

With particular reference now to FIGURE 10, the door 100 will be seen tofurther comprise a recess, generally designated by the referencecharacter 136. The recess 136 is defined by a first bottom wall 138, anda second bottom wall 140. The bottom walls 138 and 140 lie in differentplanes, and a first ledge 142 extends therebetween. A second ledge 144extends from the bottom wall 140' to the exterior surface 146 of theaccess door 100. The first bottom wall 138 extends towards one end 148of the access door (the end upon which the male closure element of theclosure assembly 130 is mounted), and is separated therefrom by a wall150, which comprises a plurality of vertically extending spaced apartgrooves 152. One end of each of the grooves 152 defines a stop surface154, the purpose of which will be described more fully hereinafter.

The access door 100, at each end of the wall 150, is provided with agroove 156 which extends into the first bottom wall 138 (see FIGURES and14). The interior surface 158 of the door is provided with a mountingboss 160 on either side of the first bottom wall 138, which merges intoa tapered bearing surface 162. A pair of resilient over-center floatingassemblies generally designated by the reference character 164, to bedescribed more fully hereinafter, are mounted within the door, one end166 of each such assembly being fixedly positioned upon a correspondingone of the mounting bosses 160 in any suitable manner, as through themedium of a fastener 168. It will now be understood that each assembly164 is connected only at one end thereof to the door 100 and, at theother end thereof, is free to move between and assume a plurality ofsubstantially vertically spaced positions, one of which is illustratedin full in FIGURE 15, and the other one of which is illustrated inphantom in that figure.

With particular reference now to FIGURE 18, each resilient over-centerfloating assembly 164 will be seen to comprise, further, a body portion168 of curvilinear configuration, a positioning loop 170 ofsubstantially semicircular configuration, and a camming loop 172 that isalso of curvilinear configuration. Each of the resilient over-centerfloating assemblies 164 may be fabricated of any suitable material, and,for example, may be fabricated of a spring steel.

The photographic apparatus or camera 30 comprises, still further, aphotosensitive material or film positioning or locating assembly,generally designated by the reference character 174. With particularreference now to FIG- URES 10-13 and 17, the assembly 174 will be seento comprise a film positioning or locating door 176 and a tear assembly178 for severing successive portions of the photosensitive material orfilm 82 from one another. The film locating or positioning door 176comprises a planar body 180 of generally rectangular configuration, anda plurality of arms 182. The arms 182 each comprise an car 184, each ofwhich, in turn, is particularly adapted to be disposed within acorresponding one of the grooves 156. With particular reference now toFIG- URES l0 and 14, it will be understood that the height of each ofthe arms 182 is substantially the same as the distance from the exteriorsurface 146 of the door to the first bottom wall 138, so that theexterior surface of the film locating or positioning door 176 will liesubstantially flush therewith when the latter is in the position shownin full lines in FIGURE 13. Similarly, the transverse dimension of thedoor 176 is substantially the same as the distance between the ledge 142and the inside surface 186 of the Wall defining the end 148 of the door100. As is clearly illustrated in FIGURE 14, a substantial portion ofthe door 176 lies Within the space defined between the wall and theinside surface 186. It is to be noted, at this point, that when the door176 is in the position shown in full lines in FIGURE 13, the arms 182are particularly adapted to rest upon the first bottom wall 138. As isnow considered readily apparent, the door 176 is particularly adapted tobe pivotably moved towards the position shown in phantom in FIGURE 13.Accordingly, an edge 188 of the door is particularly adapted to pivottowards the wall 150. The door 176 comprises, further, a plurality oftits 190 mounted on the door along the edge 188 thereof and, therefore,with the edge, are also particularly adapted to be pivoted towards thewall 150. The spacing between the tits 190' is the same as the spacingbetween the grooves 152, enabling the tits to enter a corresponding oneof the grooves when the door is pivoted to the position shown in phantomin FIGURE 13. It will hereinafter be described in greater detail thateach time the film locating or positioning door 176 is moved to theposition shown in phantom in FIGURE 13, the photosensitive material orfilm 82 is positioned either to expose a portion thereof to a subjectimage, or to position a portion thereof that has been exposed to asubject image for development thereof. Accordingly, the position of thedoor 176 shown in phantom in FIGURE 13 can be denoted as a position forlocating the photosensitive material or film 82. No movement of the filmtakes place when the door is in the position shown in full lines in thatfigure.

The door 176 further comprises a camming lug 192 that extends laterallyoutwardly from each of the ears 184. The camming lugs 192 are ofgenerally key-holeshaped configuration, having a Wide portion 194, and anarrow portion 196, as particularly illustrated in FIG- URES 19-21. Itwill now be understood that the camming lugs 192 are each particularlyadapted to be positioned within a corresponding one of the resilientover-center floating assemblies 164. More particularly, the wide portion194 of the lugs is disposed within the positioning loop of theassemblies 164, while the narrow portion 196 is particularly adapted toride along the camming portion 9 172 thereof between the positionsillustrated and in phantom lines in FIGURE 18. It will be noted that thefull and phantom lines showings of the camming lug 192 in FIGURE 18, aswell and the full and phantom-line showings of the assembly 164 inFIGURE 15, correspond with the same showings of the door 176 in FIGURE13.

As hereinbefore pointed out, the resilient floating assemblies 164 areeach constructed and arranged to define an over-center spring. Thus, theinherent degree of resiliency of each of the assemblies or springs, andthe normal position of the camming portion 172 relative to the bodyportion 168, is chosen to enable the camming portion to exert a forceagainst the narrow portion 196 of a magnitude sufiicient to move thecamming lugs to either of its positions once it has passed its center ofmovement. This center of movement may be defined by a line passedthrough the center of the lugs and perpendicular to a tangent of thecamming portion 172. Accordingly, in moving the door 176 to its filmlocating position, it is only necessary to move the door to an extentsufficient to in turn move the camming lugs just past their centerposition. The floating springs 164 will then take over and move the door176 the rest of the way. Once the door is in its film locating position,it will be maintained therein by the floating assemblies or springs 164.The reverse is similarly true.

As hereinbefore pointed out, the film locating or positioning assembly174 comprises a tearing assembly 178 for severing successive portions ofthe photosensitive material or film 82. With particular reference now toFIG- URES 10, 12, 13 and 17, the tearing assembly or tear strip 178 willbe seen to comprise a top wall 196, a front wall 198 and a tear strip200 having a serrated edge 202. The tearing assembly 178 furthercomprises a plurality of side walls 204 which are each of generallyL-shaped configuration. One leg 206 of each side wall is particu larlyadapted to function as a tab. More particularly, the legs or tabs 206are insertable through slots 208 of the body portion 180 of the door176. The legs or tabs 206 are then folded towards one another, and areparticularly adapted to be disposed within recesses 210 provided in theunder surface of the body portion 180. The tabs 206 are not fixed withinthe recesses 210, there resulting some play between the tearing assembly178 and the door 176, the purpose of which will be described more fullyhereinafter.

The other leg 212 of each of the side walls 204 defines an edge 214which, when the tabs 206 have been inserted through the slots 208 andturned or folded into the re cesses 210, are particularly adapted torest upon the surface of the body portion 180 of the door 176, asparticularly illustrated in FIGURE 13. The dimension of the front wall198 is then chosen to dispose the tear strip 200 substantially adjacentthe second bottom wall 140.

With particular reference now to FIGURES 10, 12 and 17, the tear strip200 will be seen to comprise a plurality or pair of reverse projections216 at each end thereof. The terminology reverse is intended to meanthat the projections 216 extend upwardly from the plane of the tearstrip 200, at an obtuse angle with respect thereto, towards the frontwall 198. These projections are particularly adapted to engage orco-operate with a corresponding one of a pair or plurality of beads 218which extend inwardly towards one another from the walls of the recess136 in the door 100 (see FIGURE As clearly shown in FIGURE 17, when thedoor 176 and the tearing assembly 17 8 is in the position in which aportion of the photosensitive material or film 82 is being subjected toan image, or an exposed portion is being developed (shown in full linesin FIGURE 13), the tear strip 200 will be disposed or locatedsubstantially adjacent the second bottom wall 140, as pointed out above.Accordingly, the projections 216 will be disposed or located in aposition in which they are engageable with the beads 218. It washereinbefore pointed out that the connection between the door 176 andthe tearing assembly 178 provides for some play therebetween. When it isdesired to move the door 176 and the tearing assembly 178 to the filmlocating position, it is necessary to grasp the tearing assembly in sucha manner as to exert a force upon the tear strip 200 that will tend tomove, or, in effect, pivot the projections 216 away from the beads 218.Any other force will simply enable the projections to engage the beads218, thus precluding the door 176 and the tearing assembly 178 frominadvertently being moved to that position. The tearing assembly thusperforms the additional function of locking the door 176 and the tearingassembly 178 in the position in which the film either is being exposedto a subjacent image, or an exposed portion thereof is being developed.

With particular reference nowto FIGURES 1, 4 and 5, it will beunderstood that when the cartridge 34 is disposed within the housing 32,the photosensitive material or film 82 will exit from the cartridgethrough an exit slot 220 which is in alignment with the space definedbetween the wall and the inner surface 186 when the door 176 is in aposition in which the film is either being exposed to a subject image,or an exposed portion thereof is being developed (shown in full lines inFIGURE 13). It is for this reason, that, as hereinbefore pointed out,photographic apparatus or the camera 30 constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present invention is virtually self-threading. Itwill further be understood that, once the film 82 has entered thisspace, it is turned so that it will traverse the bottom walls 138 and140, and thence will exit the camera between the second ledge 144 andthe tear strip 200.

It has hereinbefore been pointed out that the door 176 and the tearingassembly 17 8 comprise a film locating or positioning assembly. Withparticular reference now to FIGURES 19-21, and assuming that thecartridge 34 has been inserted within the housing 32, and the accessdoor 100 moves to a closed position, as clearly illustrated in FIGURE13, it is necessary to move the film locating assembly to a filmlocating position in order to bring the first portion of the film to -aposition upon the image plane 80. The door 176 is thus pivoted or movedto the position shown in FIGURE 19 by grasping the tearing assembly 178in the manner hereinbefore set forth. As the door is pivoted to thisposition, the earn 192 will pass its center position, enabling thecamming portion 172 to bear against the narrow portion 196 and maintainthe door 176 in this position. In so moving the door, the tits 1190 willhave been pivoted to a position in which they rest upon a film leaderthat is presented when the door 176 is, in effect, first opened. Thefilm leader can now be grasped, and the film 82 pulled or moved to aposition in which a first pair or plurality of apertures 222 are inalignment with the tits 190. Due to the tension of the camming portion172, a further movement of the door 176 to a film locating position(clockwise as viewed in FIGURE 19) will take place, thus causing thetits to pass through the apertures 222 and into the grooves 152 in thewall 150, as clearly illustrated in FIGURE 20. The user continues topull the film leader, during which movement of the door 176 will move ina vertical direction as shown in that figure, and the tits 190 will ridewithin the grooves 152 until they engage or bottom-out upon the surface.154. This movement of the door can take place since the over-centerassemblies 164 are inherently resilient, and are fixedly mounted withinthe access door 100 only at the mounting bosses or surfaces 160. Thefasteners 168 thus, in effect, become a fulcrum point about which theassemblies 164 pivot when the door 176 is pulled in the aforesaiddirection by the film 82. The resilient overcenter assemblies 164 arethus fioating assemblies, as hereinbefore pointed out, and are movablebetween a normal position illustrated in FIG- URES 19 and 20, and shownin phantom. in FIGURE 15, and a flexed position, clearly illustrated inFIGURE 21.

It is in this latter position that the door 176 has been pulled alongwith the film 82 until the tits 190 have bot tomed-out upon the surface154 of the grooves 152. It will now be understood that the resilientfloating assemblies 164 tend to bias the door 176 to its normalposition, and must therefore be flexed in order to allow the door 176 tobe moved to the position shown in FIGURE 21. This latter position is notonly defined by the engagement between the tits 190 and the surface 154of the grooves 152, but also by engagement of the body portion 168 ofeach of the floating assemblies 164 with the bearing surface 162 (seeFIGURE of the access door 100.

A first successive portion of the photosenstitve material or film 82 isnow positioned at the image plane 80 of the cartridge 34, and isparticularly adapted to be exposed to a subject image in a manner thatis considered readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The filmlocating and positioning assembly 176 is now pivoted or moved to theposition shown in full lines in FIGURE 13. In this position, and ashereinbefore pointed out, the tearing assembly 178 will lock the door176 against being inadvertently opened because of the engagement betweenthe reverse projections 216 and the beads 218. After this firstsuccessive portion of the film has been exposed, it is necessary to moveit into the liquid-type chamber of the cartridge 34 that contains therequisite developing solution or solutions.

The tearing assembly 178 is now grasped in the manner aforesaid (topreclude engagement between the projections 216 and the beads 218 atthis time), and the door 176 once again moved to the position shown inFIGURE 19. At this point, it is to be noted that when the door 176 wasclosed, the floating assemblies 164 moved the door towards the bottomwall 138 (vertically downwardly in the schematic illustrations ofFIGURES 192l) due to the biasing force exerted thereagainst. As aresult, when the door 176 is once again moved to a film locatingposition, the tits 190 will have been pivoted to a location in whichthey once again rest upon the film 82 just behind the first set oflocating apertures 222. It can readily be seen that in the absence ofthis floating movement of the door 176 the tits 190 would tend toreenter the same set of lo cating apertures 222 from which they aredisengaged each time the door is moved to its closed position. Thisfloating movement of the door occurs in two phases: in the first phase,after the tits 190 are engaged within a set or pair of locatingapertures 222, the door is moved or floated away from the bottom wall138; in the second phase, when the door is pivoted to a closed positionand the tits 190 are disengaged from the locating apertures 222, thedoor floats or moves towards the bottom wall 138, and thus returns toits normal position. It is emphasized that when the door is again movedor pivoted to a film lasting position, the tits 190 are pivoted to aposition in which they again bear upon the film 82 at a location justbehind the set of locating apertures 222 from which they were previouslydisengaged. Such a set of apertures 222 is illustrated in FIGURE 19 inphantom. It is also to be noted that each set of locating apertures 222will be positioned at the surface 154 of the grooves 152 when the door176 is to be moved to a closed position, and the tits 190 disengagetherefrom. The door is maintained in each of its positions by thecamming portion 172 of the floating assemlies 164, and is actually urgedto each of these positions by the camming portion once the cams 192 havepassed their center position, as hereinbefore pointed out.

A first portion of the film 82 has now been exposed, it is ready to bemoved into the liquid-type developing chamber of the cartridge 34, andthe door 176 has been pivoted or moved to a film locating position (seeFIGURE 19), in which position the tits 190 have been pivoted to a alocation in which it bears upon the film just behind the first set oflocating apertures 222 which was responsible for such first portion ofthe film at the image plane 80.

The user again pulls on the film until the next set of locatingapertures 222 is in alignment with the tits 190, whence the latter enterthe apertures and the grooves 152. The user continues to pull the film,thus pulling the door therewith, and causing it to float away from thebottom wall 138. During this floating movement of the door, the tits 190ride within the grooves 152 until they once again bottom-out upon thesurface 154 thereof. At this time, the exposed portion of the film willbe located within the liquid-type developing chamber of the cartridge34. It is necessary to now close the door 176. As the door is pivoted toits closed position, it will float towards the bottom wall 138 andreturn to its normal position with respect thereto under the biasingaction of the floating assemblies 164. The user now waits the requiredtime for the exposed portion of the film to be developed. It is to beunderstood that during this time an exposable portion of the film 82 isnot located upon the image plane of the cartridge 34. The required timefor the developing having expired, the door 176 is again moved to a filmlocating position, and the tits 190 pivoted to a location just behindthe set of locating apertures 222 from which they have previously beendisengaged. The film is pulled by the user, and the developed portion ofthe film severed by means of the tear strip 200 in a manner that isconsidered readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In removing thedeveloped portion of the film and severing it, the next successiveportion of the film capable of being exposed to a subject image is movedinto position upon the image plane 80 and is properly located by meansof the next set of locating apertures 222. The door 176 is again closed,and the procedure repeated until all of the available exposable portionsof the film 82 have been exposed to a subject image and developed. Atsuch time, the access door is opened, in a manner considered readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, and the used cartridge 34 removedfrom the enclosure 32. The used cartridge can now be disposed, and a newcartridge positioned in its place.

The photosensitive material or film 82 will thus be seen to comprise aplurality of sets of locating apertures 222. It can be said that twodifferent types of locating apertures are provided. One such type is tolocate an exposable portion of the film upon the image plane 80. Theother type can be said to locate the exposed portion of the film in theliquid-type developing chamber of the cartridge 34. It is to beremembered that when an exposed portion of the film is located in thedeveloping chamber, the next successive exposable portion thereof hasnot yet been located upon the image plane. Accordingly, the next set oflocating apertures 222 will be of the first type, and the following setof the second type.

It is again emphasized that the floating assemblies 164 are not onlyresponsible for maintaining the door 176 in each of its positions, butactually urge it to these positions once the cams 192 have passed theircenter position. In connection with the door 176, and as hereinbeforepointed out, it is movable to a position in which it locates orpositions the film 82 for each of the hereinbefore described purposes.This position can, for purposes of simplicity, be described as an openposition with respect to the access door 100. The door 176 is alsomovable to another position in which a successive portion of the film iseither being exposed to a subject image, or an exposed portion thereofis being developed. This latter position of the door 176 can, forpurposes of simplicity, be described as a closed position with respectto the access door 100. In addition, and as hereinbefore pointed out,the resilient over-center floating assemblies 164 enable the door tofloat towards the bottom wall 138, or a normal or operative position. Inthis position, the door is capable of performing its function ofproperly locating the film 82. The floating assemblies 164 also enablethe door to float away from the bottom wall 138, towards an inoperativeposition. During this latter movement, the door will be performing itsfunction. Once it has reached its inoperative position, the film willhave been properly located, and the door can be moved no further untilit is returned to its normal or operative position.

While the invention has been shown, illustrated, described and disclosedin terms of an embodiment or modification which it has assumed inpractice, the scope of the invention should not be deemed to be limitedby the precise embodiment or modification herein shown, illustrated,described or disclosed, such other embodiments r modifications intendedto be reserved especially as they fall within the scope of the claimshere appended.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of translating successive portions of a photosensitivematerial capable of being exposed to a subject image across the imageplane of a unitary selfcontained disposable cartridge having a supply ofsaid material, and through a liquid-tight chamber thereof before thenext successive exposable portion is located at said image plane andprior to each such portion exiting therefrom, comprising at least thesteps of:

causing a first set of one of a pluarity of alternately different typesof locating apertures to be located in a position for engagement With afilm locating assembly;

causing the engagement of said assembly with said first set ofapertures;

causing the translation of said film and said assembly to a firstlocation beyond which said assembly cannot be translated, at whichlocation a first successive exposable portion of the film is located atthe image plane of said cartridge;

causing said assembly to be translated to a location of disengagementwith said first set of locating aper tures, at which location it ispositioned just rearwardly thereof;

causing the translation of the film to a location at which a first setof another of said plurality of different types of locating apertures ispositioned for engagement with said film locating assembly;

causing the engagement of said assembly with the first set of said othertype of apertures;

continuing to cause the translation of the film and said assembly to asecond location beyond which the assembly cannot be translated, at whichlocation said first successive exposable portion of the film is locatedwithin the liquid-tight developing chamber of said cartridge;

causing said assembly to be translated to a location of disengagementwith the first set of said other type of locating apertures at which itis positioned just rearwardly thereof;

causing the translation of said film to a location at which a second setof said one type of locating apertures is positioned for engagement withsaid assembly, and continuing to cause the translation of the film, andsaid assembly, upon engagement of the assembly therewith, to a locationbeyond which said assembly cannot be translated, at which the firstsuccessive exposable portion of the film is in a position to be severedfrom the remainder thereof, and the next successive exposable portion islocated at the image plane of the cartridge; and

repeating the above procedure until each such successive portion hasbeen exposed and developed before exiting the cartridge. 2. A method forexposing successive exposable portions of a photosensitive material to asubject image, and developing each such portion prior to locating thenext portion in a position for exposure to the same or another suchimage all before exiting from a unitary self-contained disposablecartridge having a supply of said material, comprising at least thesteps of:

causing a first set of one of a plurality of alternately different typesof locating apertures to be located at a position in which a firstsuccessive exposable portion is disposed at the image plane of saidcartridge;

causing a first set of another of said plurality of ditferent types oflocating apertures to be located at a position in which said firstsuccessive portion of the film is located within a liquid-tightdeveloping chamber of the cartridge; and

causing a second set of said one type of locating apertures to belocated in a position in which said first successive portion isseverable from the remainder of the film, and the next successiveexposable portion is disposed on the image plane of said cartridge.

3. A method for exposing successive exposable portions of aphotosensitive material to a subject image, and developing each suchportion prior to locating the next portion in a position for exposure tothe same or another such image all before exiting from a unitaryselfcontained disposable cartridge having a supply of said material,comprising at least the steps of:

causing engagement of a film locating assembly with a first set of oneof a plurality of alternately different types of locating apertures insaid film, and translating said assembly to a location beyond which itcannot be translated, at which location a first successive exposableportion of the film is located at the image plane of said cartridge;

causing the disengagement of said assembly with said first set oflocating apertures;

causing the engagement of said assembly with a first set of another ofsaid plurality of different types of locating apertures, and translatingsaid assembly to a location beyond which it cannot be translated, atwhich location said first successive exposable portion of the film islocated within a liquid-tight developing chamber of said cartridge;

causing the disengagement between said assembly and causing theengagement between said assembly and a second set of said one type oflocating apertures, and the translation of said assembly to a locationbeyond which it cannot be translated, at which location the firstsuccessive exposable portion of said film is severable from theremainder thereof, and the next successive exposable portion is locatedat the image plane of said cartridge.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1963 Wright -14XR 8/1965 Linder95-13

